Collect for Christ the King Sunday
Ephesians 1: 15-23
Matthew 25: 31-46
Through the past weeks, the readings from Matthew’s Gospel have concentrated on Jesus teaching, healing and explaining the Kingdom of Heaven in parables. The Sower. The mustard seed. Treasure in a field, a pearl of great price. Each one being more direct in its message. Refusal of the invitation to the great banquet. The last first, the first last. As Jesus speaks, the Pharisees and elders of the Temple become more and more angry. They realise that the message of His teaching undermines their authority within the religious hierarchy, with their self-importance exposed as being more important to them than their religious responsibilities.
He speaks to them even more directly and denounces them as blind guides who offer no leadership. He talks about the entrance of the bridegroom, the return of the landowner – and now, as if what He has said before wasn’t bad enough, with barely-disguised criticism He reminds them that their pious hypocrisy isn’t going to be the passport to Paradise they imagine it is. Unless their actions result in the service of the people they lead, they will never enter the Kingdom. Their falsehood is emphasised in the light of their knowledge of their responsibilities They know what they should do. But they don’t do it. It is the ones who do God’s work, who serve without expecting any reward who will receive eternal life in the Kingdom.
It’s no wonder the Pharisees start making plans to get rid of Him.
Previous Posts
Praying Together 29th October 2023
Hallowmas is a season we should not ignore, but instead celebrate as a festival of light, in the beauty of Autumn colours and enjoying a time for creation to rest in peace.
Praying Together 22nd October 2023
When the world lives in Christ, it’s laws are true and just. When it doesn’t, they are not, and we must reject them. There can be no compromise.
Praying Together 15th October 2023
Whoever we are – even unto this last -Jesus asks us to dine with Him. He has bought us the entrance fee. All He asks is that we accept Him as Lord.
Praying Together 8th October 2023
Throughout the centuries, God offers a gift being able to choose life and starting again, but when continually refused, He shakes the dust off His sandals and moves on. Could you blame Him, then, if He turns Hs blessing to the poor?
Praying Together 1st October 2023
The reward for accepting Him is the joy of knowing freedom, and then to accept His command to work in the vineyard, to feed His lambs – not with empty words, but with deeds.
Praying Together 24th September 2023
Heavenly Father, help us to work to accomplish your will for us according to our individual gifts without comparing ourselves to others. Help us to acknowledge our own failures and avoid condemning others for theirs.
Praying Together 17th September 2023
And when it comes down to it, I will always need forgiveness – as do we all. For all of us have sinned and fallen short.
Praying Together 10th September 2023
Yes of course we have a responsibility to address sin – but before we criticise others, we need to start with ourselves.
Praying Together 3rd September 2023
‘Those who want to save their life will lose it’, said Jesus, but though people hear Him, they don’t actually listen.
Praying Together 27th August 2023
In the end, it is Peter, once again, who takes the step that faith demands. Thousands since that day have proclaimed the same. And so do I.
Praying Together 20th August 2023
As are we all, whoever we may be – Jew, Greek, slave, free, man, woman. One in Jesus, the Christ. That’s the important bit.
Praying Together 13th August 2023
Once in a while, we might close our earthly eyes and leap over the side. There is nothing that Jesus asks us that we can’t achieve.